topic Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks. in AutoCAD LT Forum

Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:15:20 GMT

I export from Vectorworks to ACAD often and this is the first time this issue has come up.

When I exported this particular file and it contains 216 xrefs of bitmaps. I directed the export to one location, later cutting the parent folder to a new location. The relative path xrefs are now not showing up. After running Find and Replace, all 216 attempts to find and replace failed. Is this because the bitmaps are behind blocks? I'm lost here.

Let me know if you need any information

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

paullimapa — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:19:41 GMT

So the bitmap xrefs worked prior to you moving the parent folder?

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:28:26 GMT

Correct

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

paullimapa — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 23:09:45 GMT

That’s odd. If the subfolders structure remains the same and only the top folder is moved say from one drive to another the xrefs should still be found assuming they are all relative

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

h_s_walker — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:39:39 GMT

@tkru can you share a screenshot of the "IMAGE" dialog box so we can see the paths?

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:18:55 GMT

I took (1) screenshot of the xref paths as I'm not sure what you mean by image dialog box. Just to illustrate my issue, I have also attached (1) screenshot of the images failing the Find And Replace command. I did not screenshot all instances as it get rather repetitive, there is nothing new to see when you scroll. let me know if you don't see (2) images.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:33:51 GMT

That's what I thought! That's why I'm running this by the community because it's definitely weird

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

pendean — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:19:58 GMT

@tkru wrote:
...often and this is the first time this issue has come up...

So you skipped something in VECTORWORKS perhaps. Do over? You know, like you've always done it before all the time, see if this time whatever you missed got picked up.

Relative pathing only works if they are identical when moved: then being inside blocks may be an issue that you can just quickly fix with a quick EXPLODE. Do it now.

Since none of us can see your work or filing method, my guess is you are just missing something simple like SUBFOLDER vs SUB FOLDER for example.

Happy hunting.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

paullimapa — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:25:48 GMT

Your first screenshot shows only the top three images are attached using relative paths while the rest are not. The top three relative path is looking for those images in the same folder as where the drawing is located “.\bitmap…”.
So if those images do not exist there, then it’ll fail to find them.
But the rest do not have this kind of prefix in there attach path. Perhaps you should open the drawing in its original location prior to the move, do the same screenshot again to show where all images are found.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:26:47 GMT

I want to accept that so much, but I can't. The file and folder system worked perfectly after exporting. I even created a few dynamic blocks and reviewed them with a team member. When I moved the parent folder I was extremely cautious to preserve the folder structure within that parent folder, I've been bitten by that issue before.

On Friday I tried the explode theory, as it was something I thought of as well, but that did not work.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:28:35 GMT

I'm about to open the original file in the original folder, however I just wanted to pop on real quick to mention those top three instances were me slogging through 1 xref at a time to make sure that I could update the path.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

h_s_walker — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:30:37 GMT

All those images do not have a relative path set for them.

If there is either a ".\" or nothing before the image name AutoCAD will always look in the same directory as the drawing and nowhere else.

To make all the paths relative again you need to put ".\*your path name here*\"in the saved path section and in front of the image reference in the area ringed in the image below.

If you are using LT2026 (I don't know if it will work for LT2024) it will ask if you want to apply the path to all the images, just say yes.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:33:09 GMT

image of original file in original folder. All xrefs are perfect.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

paullimapa — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:38:05 GMT

These are definitely not relative. You can tell by looking at the bottom where it shows Saved Parh. See @h_s_walker reply

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:38:37 GMT

So click in on the Bitmap123456789.png in the Details section of the XREF Palette and then add [.\] to the start of each bitmap? I'm running LT2025 and it is not giving me the option to apply path to all images.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

tkru — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:49:56 GMT

It was a VW-side issue. the bitmaps were behind a group inside of a 'block'. When I went in and ungrouped and left the 'block' just hold geometry/text and exported, the bitmaps could be read.

Re: Xref find and replace issues with a drawing exported from Vectorworks.

paullimapa — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:51:38 GMT

I’d say try exporting again from Vectorworks. If this has worked in the past, perhaps you changed one of the settings?

May also want to go to get support from Vectorworks if you have trouble figuring this out.